Characterizing Coastal Wave Energy Dynamics Using Enhanced FMCW Radar Signal Processing Techniques

Accurately characterizing wave energy dynamics in coastal regions is critical for applications ranging from renewable energy assessment to coastal safety and environmental monitoring. This paper introduces an advanced methodology that leverages Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar technology, enhanced by sophisticated signal processing techniques, to analyze and quantify wave energy in near-shore environments. By focusing on the normalized power spectrum, we explore how different wave conditions influence the distribution of energy across various frequencies. Our approach involves a comparative analysis of multiple signal processing methods, including Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), to enhance the accuracy and resolution of wave energy measurements. Experimental results from field tests conducted in coastal areas demonstrate the effectiveness of these techniques, revealing significant improvements in the radar’s ability to capture detailed wave dynamics. The findings underscore the potential of this enhanced FMCW radar system as a reliable and cost-effective tool for real-time coastal monitoring, offering valuable insights for applications such as renewable energy forecasting and the protection of coastal infrastructure. This study contributes to the growing body of research on non-contact hydrological sensing, highlighting the critical role of signal processing in advancing the precision and utility of radar-based wave energy assessments.